P5/3Z9DX – North Korea

NEWS UPDATE – As posted on DX-World twitterpage 4 days ago, all recent cluster spots for P5/3Z9DX are fake. Dom is not in North Korea, nor about to return.

Furthermore, Dom got in touch with DX-World to say recent info posted on ARRL website and ‘Daily DX’ is incorrect.

“I have not talked to ‘DX News’ or ‘Daily DX’ or any other DX source about my return trip to P5. All DX spots are fake and are made by local Polish guy who is not mentally well. If you worked P5/3Z9DX recently you worked a simple clown / pirate. There is still no more information for now from North Korean officials about my return visit.

In addition, at the moment, I’m concentrating on other projects for later this year and 2018.”

JUNE 12, 2016 — Earlier today, Dom 3Z9DX received confirmation from the North Korean government to make a return visit to P5 and operate amateur radio equipment for up to 5 days. The dates of activity are not yet known, but it will be at very short notice. Dom will be informed of dates just a few days beforehand – he will get his luggage and go.

It will be a single band operation, SSB only. Dom will update DX-World with more news as he receives it.

December 31, 2015 — After a very intensive period, Dom 3Z9DX returned home from Pyongyang shortly before Christmas. All relevant authorities were welcoming and friendly during his stay.

Dom informs that the previously announced plans for a January or February operation from P5 have been modified. A new location and project will likely now happen at the end of summer 2016. This new location is noise free (something he did not have during his recent demonstration as shown here)

Unexpected activity on December 20/21 gave an opportunity for over 780 lucky stations to have P5 in log. All necessary documentation will be provided to the ARRL DXCC desk to make this short presentation valid.

During free time, Dom had the chance to visit several interesting places in Pyongyang. Look out for new pictures and videos to appear on his webpage.

@12:30Z. Dom is now resting at his hotel. Tomorrow he leaves for Beijing. As agreed before operations commenced, his equipment has been confiscated. More news in coming days.

MONDAY @ 08:00Z – Shortly before Sunday midnight (GMT), P5/3Z9DX again started activity on 15m. Propagation has not been good due to a level G2-class geomagnetic storm mostly affecting his operating on 20m. He is QRT soon and is now using 10m in the final minutes of his activity before packing and leaving.

December 20 @ 07:38Z – After giving a ham radio demonstration, and making some +350 QSOs, Dom sent the following news to DX-World.

His antenna is on a metal fence post 2m above the ground among government high rise buildings. The lowest noise level on 15m is 59+10 and on 20m it’s 59+30. He’s surrounded by a lot of people as he operates (officials coming in and out). Dom points out this operation is only a presentation so it’s possible a different QTH will be found for the real activity planned for early next year.

At the end of his email, Dom writes “a lot of things will be changed but all in a good way“..

December 20 @ 00:05Z– Earlier today (December 20), Dom 3Z9DX phoned DX-World to say that “all was well and Sunday would be a day to test equipment and possibly work a few stations”.

At 00:03z, P5/3Z9DX started limited activity on 15m SSB.

Since December 16th, Dom has been in Pyongyang meeting telecom officials and other representatives. A full news update will be released on DX-World.net once Dom returns home to Poland on Xmas Day.

October 29, 2015 – Dom 3Z9DX updates that he’s returned from the SP7GXP antenna factory where he and Waldek did final adjustments on the GP7 vertical Dom will use in P5, North Korea. Delivery of equipment happens in December, as does final meeting with officials, with the radio activity in January or February 2016.

May 9, 2015 – Last few months 3Z9DX has received many emails asking about the possibility of an additional operator (CW) going with him to P5. To be clear, it’s Dom’s dream for a CW op to join, but at this moment only SSB will be used. Currently, there is no negotiations or ongoing dialogue about CW. Please understand this is the first step to opening doors for future P5 expeditions and it’s not helpful to “complain” about type of mode, antenna choice or how much power will be used since it’s local administration who make these restrictions. Please, no more requests about CW. In addition, a website will not be available until the final meeting with the telecoms department in December. The next Press Release will also be issued in December upon his return from North Korea.

March 10, 2015 – On February 28th, DX-World.net broke the news that Dom 3Z9DX had written permission to operate amateur radio from a VERY wanted DXCC entity.

Today, we can reveal that entity is North Korea (P5).

Dom 3Z9DX explains he has received a further letter from authorities in Pyongyang inviting him to a final meeting to discuss [and for he to accept] rules by the North Korean officials and the relevant telecommunications department.

This meeting will take place in December with activity planned for January or February 2016.

According to P5 telecoms, Dom will be permitted only three bands (20-15-10) likely using a multiband vertical from a secured place in Pyongyang with two government supervisors over-looking 24/7.

Activity will last for 5 days.

At the moment this is a solo expedition to the #1 Most wanted entity using SSB only. He is working hard behind the scenes to get one more op (CW) to possibly join him.

Please realise this project is a work in progress and to understand that it may only be Dom who operates from North Korea.